Final Buzzer: Capitals Power Past Kraken

Short Form

The Kraken erased a two-goal deficit here Saturday amid a sea of red jerseys in the crowd. But Seattle didn't sink when the Capitals scored two goals 34 seconds apart mid-first period, getting both goals back off the sticks of Donskoi (second on the season) late first period and Blackwell just a minute into the second period.
Even when Washington's potent power play clicked to make it 3-2 mid-second period, the Kraken kept working to apply some of their most sustained offensive-zone pressure in recent games.
"We generated enough offensive zone time for sure," Dave Hakstol said when meeting the media post-game. "But you don't win games with zone time ... we couldn't find another rebound [after initial shots]. Especially in the second period we had good looks and opportunities."
Both Hakstol and alternate captain Jaden Schwartz talked about the Kraken's strong 5-on-5 play. The Seattle coach estimated his squad gave up less than 30 shot attempts (as opposed to shots on goal) during even-strength minutes.
"We did a pretty good job 5-on-5," Schwartz said in his first game back after 10 weeks out of the lineup due to hand surgery. "We had our looks. I liked 5-on-5 aggressiveness."
A pair of penalties, one called on Jaden Schwartz for hooking and another on Carson Soucy for holding, doomed the Kraken's comeback mojo. Conor Sheary scored on a rebound off a shot by Tom Wilson (who scored the first goal of the game) and setup by Ovechkin on the first of two power plays.
Vanecek earned his second win in three nights, following up a 4-0 shutout over Carolina with a 29-save performance. Vanecek, the Kraken's expansion draft choice from Washington, was traded days later for a 2023 second-round draft choice once Seattle signed free agents Philipp Grubauer and Driedger.

Ovechkin Chasing Jagr

With the Soucy two-minute minor carrying into the third period, the Capitals went two-for-two on power plays on the night. Ovechkin joined the goal-scoring with a feed from Carlson (his 35th assist of the season). The one-timer shot from Ovechkin's "office" at the top of the faceoff circle to Driedger's right clocked at 95 miles per hour on the radar gun.
The goal is Ovechkin's 34th of the season and 764th of his storied career. Entering the NHL during the 2005-06 season - the same as Giordano - Ovechkin is now three goals away from passing Jaromir Jagr on the all-time NHL goals list (fun fact: Kraken GM Ron Francis notched 110 assists on Jagr's 764 goals). Ovechkin will then be third all-time, chasing only the legendary figures Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky.
"It's a tough loss," said Donskoi, who scored his first goal in 11 games. "Our PK [penalty kill] has been good lately. Ovechkin makes a big difference. It's not an easy job."
"Our first PK was excellent," Hakstol said. "Toward the end we didn't get it clear [from the defensive zone]. We didn't give them much but they found a rebound, credit to them."

Lukan Debuts as Color Analyst

With Kraken TV analyst JT Brown on the COVID-19 list, Alison Lukan our colleague on the Kraken app, website and ROOT SPORTS Northwest (pre- and post-game and intermissions) filled in as play-by-play man extraordinaire John Forslund's partner in the booth.
Lukan has gained a strong following among Kraken and NHL fans for her deft storytelling with advanced analytics as a calling card. Her ROOT SPORTS intermission analysis has proven she is equally keen to see the game unfold on ice in real time.
Saturday was more proof of Lukan's talent to bank on both analytics and the "eye test" for evaluating hockey prowess and performance.
With March celebrated globally as Gender Equity Month, it's fitting that Lukan debuted (thought right off the top of the broadcast made it clear she is a huge "JT Brown fan" - aren't we all?) as an NHL analyst. She appears to be the first female analyst with a playing background to call a game for a team broadcast.

Lines are Drawn

With Schwartz (missed 25 games) and Jared McCann (out for three games) returning, coach Dave Hakstol and assistant Paul McFarland rolled out four lines with depth. McCann centered the top line Saturday with Calle Jarnkrok and Jason Eberle on the wings.
The Colin Blackwell-Yanni Gourde-Mason Appleton line, hot lately and difference-makers in the 4-3 win over Nashville Wednesday, stayed intact and hot with Blackwell tying the game 2-2 early in the second period.
Schwartz joined center Alex Wennberg and wing Marcus Johansson on the third line. Morgan Geekie, playing wing earlier the week, moved back to center (where he is much improved as a faceoff man) in between Sheahan and Donskoi.

Gio Makes it a Round 1,000

There was a touching moment during a first-period TV timeout when the Caps public-address announcer called attention to Giordano playing in his 1,000th NHL game. Washington fans were supportive, not surprising given the veteran defenseman is admired and liked around the league (OK, maybe Edmonton not so much in "Battle of Alberta" matchups).
"It means a lot [to appear in 1,000 games]," Giordano said after Saturday's morning skate. "I feel like it's been an up-and-down journey for me to get in this league. I put in a lot of hard work and years ... It's well-known I sort of came into my own a little bit later than the average guy. I feel I still have a lot of game left."